The Rundown – Hot Mess

Those two words pretty much sum up how I feel after the Thanksgiving holiday — a hot mess. I have a holiday hangover, only a few short weeks to get all the shopping, wrapping, photo card, giving and party planning done and the boys had half days for what seemed like an eternity. It is decidedly NOT the most wonderful time of the year but there are always bright spots. Let’s focus on those, shall we?

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27, 2017

RUNNING

Sadly, I haven’t been doing much running since the Las Vegas Half Marathon. We had my brother and his family here for four days over Thanksgiving and I only made it out for one run with my SIL post-turkey fest. Sad, I know. Since then I have been doing a ton of strength training, swimming and some cycling. I know my coach has me in running recovery but I need more to feed my addiction!

I stole this photo (obviously I needed to tell you that) because it’s not every race where you get a 24 Hour Pawn Shop sign in the background. I love you Vegas, you dirty little thing!

CYCLING

Just when I thought my outdoor cycling days were over, we had two days over 50 degrees here! Alas I still did not bike outside on those days and instead retreated to my basement to ride the trainer or went to the gym and took a spin class.

SWIMMING

I have been hitting the pool a lot but mostly as recovery after a run or bike or combination of both. It feels amazingly good to glide though the water after pounding on my body…for about 20-30 minutes and then I’m exhausted and starving and over it. But, it’s really good while it lasts!

Tuesday – swim after ride and run | 1,000 yards

Wednesday – swim before weights | 2,300 yards

Friday – swim after bike and weights | 1,100 yards

Total = 4,400 yards or 2.5 miles

STRENGTH

I think it would be easier for me to tell you what I haven’t done for strength training, similarly if we could just have any man who hasn’t sexually harassed a women to come forward, I believe that would hasten the process exponentially.

But I digress…

I continue to add in CrossFit where it fits, which is harder than it sounds. I was raring to go this past Wednesday when I saw the workout was 6 minute hang and, each time to fall, you need to run 800 meters and do 30 push-ups. Wtf? That is dumb. Pass.

I did my TrainingPeaks workout instead and another day I took a class at the YMCA which was fantastic. I forget if it’s call BootCamp or PowerHour or Yes, Drill Sargent but I remember it was great and my body and mind were tired afterward.

Doing my TrainingPeaks workout at the gym by myself which is so boring that my eyes are closed.

THINGS I LOVE

I can officially announce that I’m a proud ambassador for Coeur Sports! It’s a very small, elite and exclusive group which obviously makes me a super star:

Ok so maybe they accepted almost anyone who applied but whatever, I’m happy to be a part of this group and the company. I have been a big fan of theirs for as long as I’ve been cycling and I cannot wait to share some exciting (read: clothing discounts) with all of you!

Head to toe Coeur!

THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH

My dog being a menace to strangers.

We are continuing to struggle with StarFire and her aggression toward strangers to the point where I bought a muzzle and hired yet another trainer. The kids cannot have friends in the house, we can’t have anyone over who she’s not familiar with and picking her up from dog camp, when strangers are there picking up their dogs, is stressing me to tears!

We are hopeful that a local and highly recommended trainer can help us and, in the meantime, I’ve been watching every video on YouTube from dog experts all over the world on how to get her under control.

I never in a million years dreamed I would have a dog like this and the fact that she’s so sweet and loving to everyone she’s familiar and comfortable with is the most heartbreaking part.

Oh Star, how can a dog as beautiful as you be such a psycho?

The boys are terrified she’s going to try and eat Santa and keep coming up with elaborate plans to keep her confined on Christmas Eve.

A menacing threat to Santa Claus is not the family dog I had in mind. *sigh*

READING

When I can squeeze in some reading between YouTube videos of dog obedience, I’ve been keeping busy with this:

This may be the most important thing to remember this holiday season! The author and his wife take off in an Airstream but he cannot seem to “go slow” or relax. I feel like this…um, let’s see…every waking moment of every single day…

“By the second morning after our arrival, all the work of the hunt was done, and I even managed to smash through a couple of overdue assignments that were stressing me out because I’d been unable to finish them sooner. Even still, I was antsy with momentum. “We should pack up and head back north now,” I told Jen. “I can get a jump on next week.” Jen was having none of it. “We should stay right here. This,” she said motioning out to the landscape before us, “is the whole reason we’re on the road in the first place.”

I know what you’re thinking — “Wait, I only have to teach those little crazies eight things?” Pretty exciting right? Wait until you read number 5!

If “appropriate” swearing, anger and frustration are key to being a great leader then my kids will be running the world someday. < – – please note that I would have said “president” but currently that is not a job to aspire to.

RANDOM PICTURE OF THE WEEK

A very bright spot in the last two weeks was doing a photo shoot with the amazing Anna of Anna Lucy Photography. She was the only one who could persuade me to have professional photos done for my family last year and, I of course, fell in love with the results. This year I dare say they are even better. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come…

And we wonder why StarFire is the way she is. #ILearnedItByWatchingYou

vita88

I’m so sorry that Starfire is having difficulty. My brother had a lab like that. She calmed down the older she got but it was frightening to do anything with her because you never knew what would spook her. Hope the new trainer works! And I’m still laughing at that guideline for kids. Swearing cures all! Lol!Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…Last Week’s Workouts

Look at all the Katies and Kaylas who are Coeur Ambassadors! I think there should be a limit on that…

Cocoa sounds like Star’s spirit animal. She’s so loving and sweet to us. But anyone who comes over, she pretty much tells them to get the hell out of Dodge! It’s a little unnerving. She almost killed the UPS man a few weeks ago. Sigh.

If teaching your kids to swear at the appropriate time during sports game is good parenting, then my husband is father of the century….
And too bad I bought my coeur outfit before you became ambassador… I think one trisuit is going to last me a very long time…
Love the holiday pic!Paria@momontherunsanity.com recently posted…Farewell

I’m so sorry about the stranger issues with starfire. I can’t imagine how hard and frustrating it must be and I hope that this new trainer can help. And that Outside article? That’s totally me!! I cannot turn off and was actually talking to my therapist about that last week. And I adore the photo of your kiddo (not even going to pretend I can tell if it’s Miles or Vaughn ). xo

OMG I am crying laughing at the idea of the boys coming up with ideas to keep Santa Claus safe. I love that so much. I really understand your anxiety because, as you know, my dog is horrible with other dogs. Taking him on a walk is like preparing for battle. We are really lucky that he is so good around people/strangers because obviously foster care would be impossible otherwise. I hope the trainer is able to help!!!Danielle @ The T-Rex Runner recently posted…Foster Care: Saying “No” to Accepting a Placement

I am sorry to hear about Star’s aggression! One of the dogs I run is aggressive to other dogs and people and is about the same age as Star. I wonder if it’s an age thing? It’s hard with breeds that are fiercely loyal. Ollie loses his shit if another dog jumps on me/runs at me, which that same dog is prone to do. Ollie has in his mind that he must protect me from everything. I hope the new trainer helps! I have heard that gentle leaders help as well, especially the muzzle style ones.Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes recently posted…Friday Thrive

Oh man, I hope you can help Starfire calm down- that sounds so stressful! I’m floating along okay over here- stressed a little that preschool closes for 2!! weeks!! but beyond that, I think things are under control.Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted…5 Running Nutrition Myths

Hello, I wanted to thank you very much for your website. It was through him that I decided to go biking and practice running. I’ve been running for more than 2 months now and have participated in 3 marathons. I’m just loving this sports world!

Lmao at “I learned it from watching you!” I’m sorry you’re going through such a process with Starfire!! My what you want to be dealing with in your “spare time.”Carly @ Fine Fit Day recently posted…Gift Guide for Yoga Lovers

My life is a mess for so many reasons today… so I feel you. However, reading this literally made me snort –> “I love you Vegas, you dirty little thing!” Vegas IS a dirty little thing!

I’m so disgusted with the world right now. I’m lucky to have had some great men in my life, otherwise I think I’d be a total man-hater. Also, it’s incredibly sad that being president is no longer a position to aspire to. Pretty sure that orange fucker is on his way out though!Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…5 Reasons to Take a Food Tour in Barcelona

I love that mug so much! Also congrats on the Coeur ambassadorship! I get their emails, and all their gear looks so cute. If I ever become a triathlon superstar I’d like to rock some of their awesome gear. Congrats on another great week of training.

sounds like a pretty awesome post LV rock n roll week to me!!! what on earth kind of crossfit wod or whatever the heck was that??? hang for 8 minutes then run, then what???? on another note or maybe the same wave length, i think it’s funny when non runner crossfitter’s plan workouts that they think are very ‘runny’ but i just don’t get that one…
i want to try orange theory, they are popping up everywhere and keep calling me because i inquired online. mistake, now they are stalking me to come in. hello i’m kinda busy LOL. but i really do want to try it out, so i always let them know i’m interested but too busy to talk, and please keep trying. at least i’m honest.
my left calf/soleus is the hot mess. it’s not its fault of course, i made the mistake. the 3 too’s. too much, too soon, too fast. and no strength training???? i was doing some hip work which i thought was enough but clearly not. and also bought new shoes and decided to test run 16 miles in them. is that not smart??? i don’t knowwhat’s what anymore. and just had my 3rd episode of broncitis in 3 months.
on the bright side we had our first family trip to cancun, and i hope it won’t be our last. the good news is that tequila agrees with me!!! the bad news is.. tequila agrees with me 😀

CF is just a hot mess all around and I don’t think I’m lasting too much longer there 🙁 oh well, I tried. Orangetheory on the other hand is amazing!!! If they opened one up as close as CF I would be in heaven!!
I saw some of you sunny pics – so great!!! I hope you’re all better now…

WELCOME

I come from a long line of smart mouthed women and I try to use my powers for good! On any given day you can find me training for my next big race or triathlon, raising my twin boys, freelance writing, traveling the globe and eating and drinking with my husband. Join the party!